Märta Carlsson is a designer educated at HDK-Valand whose practice explores the intersection of furniture design, spatial design, material exploration, and circular design. Guided by a strong commitment to ecological sustainability, she investigates how design can extend the lifespan of materials and objects through reuse, modularity, and thoughtful production methods.
Nature, wood, and circular resource flows are recurring sources of inspiration in her work. Motivated by contemporary environmental challenges, Märta seeks to develop design solutions that make use of existing resources while encouraging more sustainable ways of making, using, and maintaining objects and spaces. Rather than viewing sustainability as an addition to the design process, she places it at the core of her practice.
During her studies, she worked on projects focusing on furniture and spatial design, material experimentation, and circular design strategies. A formative experience was her internship at ACT! Arkitekturstudio in Oslo, where she contributed to the transformation of ROM for kunst og arkitektur. Working with concept development and model making, she also designed a reception desk and lighting elements using natural and reclaimed materials.
Materials play a central role in Märta’s design process and often guide the development of form and concept. She primarily works with wood, particularly pine, valuing its accessibility, local availability, and tactile qualities. Reclaimed and locally sourced materials are frequently incorporated into her projects, reflecting her interest in material responsibility and resource-conscious design.
Her process is rooted in research and hands-on experimentation, often beginning with investigations at full scale. Through sketching, prototyping, testing, and refinement, ideas evolve in close dialogue with materials and making. Craftsmanship is an important part of her practice, providing a deeper understanding of materials and allowing concepts to develop through direct engagement and experimentation.
Influenced by the principle of “form follows function,” Märta places strong emphasis on usability while maintaining a thoughtful and material-driven design language. What distinguishes her work is the combination of practical making, circular design principles, and an ongoing curiosity about how ecological sustainability can shape contemporary furniture and spatial design.
